10.1021/jo00388a017
The study explores the synthesis and reactivity of silyl-substituted cyanoamines as reagents for heterocyclic synthesis. Key chemicals involved include (dialkylamino)acetonitriles, chlorotrimethylsilane, lithium diisopropylamide (LDA), and silver fluoride. The researchers attempted to silylate the anion derived from several (dialkylamino)acetonitriles but encountered self-condensation issues. They successfully synthesized a-silylated cyanoamines by slowly adding chlorotrimethylsilane to (benzylmethylamino)acetonitrile and treating the resulting ammonium salt with LDA. These silyl-substituted cyanoamines were then treated with silver fluoride to produce desilylated cyanoamines, which were expected to generate aminocarbenes but instead led to 1,3-dipolar cycloadducts via cyano-substituted azomethine ylide intermediates. The study also investigated the cycloaddition behavior of [benzyl[(trimethylsilyl)methyl]amino]malononitrile, finding that it undergoes smooth dipolar cycloaddition with various dipolarophiles in the presence of silver fluoride, potentially serving as a convenient nitrile ylide precursor. The research highlights the potential of these compounds in heterocyclic synthesis and the challenges in generating and trapping aminocarbenes.